LEXINGTON, Ky. – Calvin volleyball player Sarah DeVries - who has played all of the 2018 and 2019 seasons as a middle blocker and setter for the Knights, was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) TeamSnap/AVCA Division III National Player of the Year. The award was announced Wednesday (Nov. 20) at the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship Banquet in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

DeVries' honor marks the seventh time in nine seasons a Calvin volleyball player has been named National Player of the Year; DeVries is also one of five Division III volleyball players since 1985 to be a two-time National Player of the Year. 

DeVries headlines the AVCA All-America teams that included two Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association players: Calvin's Kelsey Smith (2nd team) and Hope's McKenna Otto (2nd).

In 2019, DeVries has been a multiple threat for Calvin on the court this fall, averaging 4.36 kills. 4.87 assists, 2.07 digs, 1.21 blocks and 0.33 service aces-per-set. During a storied career, DeVries, who is also hitting .413 this season, was a three-time AVCA All-American and two-time National Player of the Week by the AVCA.

After earning honorable mention All-America notice in 2018, Smith posted averages of 2.83 kills, 0.87 digs and 0.35 service aces-per-set while hitting .281 as an outside hitter.

Otto, a sophomore middle hitter for the Flying Dutch, hit .314 while registering 3.41 hills per set and 0.89 blocks per set.

2019 AVCA Division III All-America Teams | 2019 AVCA Division III Player of the Year

MIAA Student-Athletes Honored by AVCA

Calvin: Sarah DeVries (POTY), Kelsey Smith (2nd) - DeVries POTY release | Calvin All-America

Hope: McKenna Otto (2nd) - team press release


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